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The low FODMAP diet is effective in managing symptoms in many patients with irritable bowel syndrome. To assess if liberalisation of the diet is possible while still maintaining good symptom control, it is hypothesised that longer-chain FODMAP sugars (inulin) is less fermentable and less osmotic in the large intestine and will therefore not contribute to symptoms as much as shorter-chain FODMAPs (fructo-oligosaccharides and lactulose). Glucose is not a FODMAP, but a sugar that is well absorbed and it is hypothesised that glucose will not contribute to symptoms. Diarrhoea-predominant patients with reported good symptom control on a low FODMAP diet will be recruited for easier measuring of symptom change, bowel motions and faecal water content specifically.

Diarrhoea amongst hospitalised patients receiving enteral formula (tube-feeding) is common. Previous research has suggested that one possible reason for this is the high content of poorly absorbed sugars called FODMAPs (Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides And Polyols) in the formula. FODMAPs enter the large intestine where they get fermented by bacteria, produce gas and draw water in to the large intestine. In large enough doses, this may contribute to diarrhoea. We hypothesise that giving a formula we believe is high FODMAP compared to a formula we believe is low FODMAP will produce different amounts of large intestinal gas. This can be measure by collecting the breath after drinking these formulas and measuring the levels of gas in the breath. We will then compare this to a the FODMAP lactulose, which is a sugar that is known to produce gas in everyone. This will show us if there are FODMAPs in the formulas and a rough estimation of quantity.

The study tests the effectiveness of LASER acupuncture on osteo arthritis knee (OAK) pain. OAK is the most common form of arthritis. OAK sufferers and LASER and acupuncture practitioners would benefit from the study in a number of ways. For example, a positive outcome: 1. Would determine an effective LASER acupuncture treatment protocol and influence clinical practice. 2. May help reduce dependency on pharmacological treatments and alleviate associated drug side effects. 3. May reduce the cost and/or financial burden of OA treatment for individuals and the community as a whole. 4. Would help increase awareness about the choice of available treatments. A negative study outcome: 1. May prove the null hypothesis correct (i.e. LASER acupuncture is not effective for OAK). 2. Would encourage further investigations to test the validity of the study design or develop new experiments.

People having issues swallowing their medications may crush it and mix with food or drinks. In aged care homes and for dysphagic patients it is common to thicken water with commercial thickening agents to provide the correct viscosity to enable swallowing. In an in vitro study, we have found that drug dissolution was consistently reduced when the tablets were crushed and mixed with a commercially available thickened fluid consisting of xanthan gum and maltodextrin. It was observed that mixing crushed tablets with thickened fluid caused prolonged dissolution time compared to other mixers (water, jam, yogurt, honey and juice) and compared to dissolution of the whole tablet. Based on our in vitro data, we hypothesise that the rate of drug absorption will be significantly slowed, and the maximum drug concentration reached will be reduced when a drug is crushed and mixed with the thickened fluid in comparison to the whole tablet, crushed tablet delivered in water, and crushed tablet mixed with jam.

Patients will be recruited in the outpatient setting after they have been found to require cardiac surgery. They will have their body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference measured and will have blood tests. They will be reviewed by the Dietician, who will explain the very low calorie diet (VLCD) program. They will undergo the VLCD program, comprising liquid meal replacements for two weeks. They will then return for review by the Dietician and will be commenced on a Healthy Eating Plan, allowing for reintroduction of whole foods over the following four weeks. Diabetic patients will be monitored by the Endocrinology team throughout the period. On completing the program, they will be admitted for elective cardiac surgery and undergo routine preoperative assessment including repeat blood tests and calculation of their weight loss. They will be reviewed as an outpatient six weeks postoperatively. They will be contacted via phone or mail at 6 and 12 months postoperatively to assess mid-term outcomes.

The purpose of this study is to determine whether accelerated BEP chemotherapy is more effective than standard BEP chemotherapy in males and females with intermediate and poor-risk metastatic germ cell tumours. Who is it for? Male and female participants aged 11 years to 45 years old and you have been diagnosed with metastatic germ cell tumour/s in the testes, ovary, retro-peritoneum or mediastineum and considering first-line chemotherapy. Study details Participants in this study will be randomly (by chance) allocated to one of two groups. Participants in one group will receive the current gold standard treatment for germ cell tumours, which is a chemotherapy combination called BEP (bleomycin, etoposide and cisplatin) administered on a 3 weekly cycle. BEP is given with a drug called pegfilgrastim which encourages white blood cell production and prevents blood cell complications of chemotherapy. Participants in the other group will receive the same dose of BEP but on a 2 weekly schedule. This is called 'accelerated BEP'. Participants will be regularly assessed for treatment response, side effects and quality of life for a period of up to 2 years. This will enable us to determine whether giving the dose of BEP on a 2 weekly schedule is more effective than a 3 weekly schedule. We will also be able to track whether the shorter schedule causes more, the same, or less side effects.

The sole objective of this study is to explore perceptions towards minimalist shoe running style by podiatrists practicing in Western Australia and runners.

The main objective of this study is to assess the effect of synbiotics (co-administration of both pre- and probiotics) as a potential treatment targeting damaging kidney toxins related to heart disease and kidney disease progression in advanced chronic kidney disease patients.

The aim of the current study was to evaluate the efficacy fo the Climate Schools: Psychostimulant and Cannabis module in Australian secondary schools. It was expected that students who recieved the intervention would have increased psychostimulant and cannabis related knowledge, decreased pro-drug attitudes, decreased psychostimulant and cannabis use, and decreased intentions to use psychostimulants and cannabis, compared to students in the control group.

This study will test the efficacy of Coping-Together – a couple-based self-directed, coping skills training intervention. It is anticipated that using the proposed Coping-Together skills will be associated with couples experiencing less anxiety. Who is it for? You may be eligible for the study if you have recently been diagnosed with Stage I, II or III breast, prostate or colorectal (bowel) cancer, or melanoma and are currently receiving or planning to receive treatment. Your partner must also be willing to participate and you must both be able to understand and complete surveys. Trial details: You will be randomised to one of two treatment conditions, either the Coping-Together intervention or to the Minimal Ethical Care condition. The purpose of the study is to test the suitability of the information resources and assess which condition enhances illness adjustment and coping with cancer. All groups will be supplied with cancer and coping information, which participants work through at their own pace. What are you being asked to do? To participate in this study you will need to complete 4 surveys and receive an orientation call from research staff over a 6 month period. You are also asked to use the information resources provided as much as possible.